Manhole adjusting extension member - Patent Review 5956905

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. An extension adapted to be disposed between an open top surface of a base of a manhole or catch basin and a bottom surface of a support frame, said extension comprising:

a molded plastic member having a central opening for access therethrough and a shape conforming to an open top surface of a base, and further having outer, central, and inner concentric, spaced-apart walls, each wall having inner and outer surfaces, wherein a first planar support surface extends perpendicularly from at least one of a lower and upper edge of said outer wall to said central wall and a second planar support surface extends perpendicularly from at least one of a lower and upper edge of said inner wall to said central wall, to provide planar surfaces of support, said inner wall having a lower annular shoulder extending therefrom.

2. The extension member as recited in claim 1, wherein said inner and central walls are interconnected by a plurality of partitions extending radially from said inner wall to said central wall to create a corresponding plurality of pocket spaces.

3. The extension member as recited in claim 1, wherein said outer and central walls are interconnected by a plurality of partitions extending radially from said central wall to said outer wall to create a corresponding plurality of pocket spaces.

4. The extension member as recited in claim 2, wherein said outer and central walls are interconnected by a plurality of partitions extending radially from said central wall to said outer wall to create a corresponding plurality of pocket spaces.

5. The extension member as recited in claim 1, wherein said inner, central, and outer concentric spaced-apart walls are interconnected by a plurality of partitions extending radially from said inner wall to said outer wall to create a corresponding plurality of pocket spaces.

6. The extension member as recited in claim 1, wherein said inner, central and outer concentric, spaced-apart walls have a uniform height dimension.

7. The extension member as recited in claim 1, wherein the outer wall of said extension member has a height dimension that decreases uniformly from a first height dimension associated with a first side of said outer wall to a second height dimension associated with a second side of said outer wall aligned opposite said first side.

8. The extension member as recited in claim 1, wherein the central wall of said extension member has a height dimension that decreases uniformly from a first height dimension associated with a first side of said central wall to a second height dimension associated with a second side of said central wall aligned opposite said first side.

9. The extension member as recited in claim 1, wherein the inner wall of said extension member has a height dimension that decreases uniformly from a first height dimension associated with a first side of said inner wall to a second height dimension associated with a second side of said inner wall aligned opposite said first side.

10. The extension member as recited in claim 5, wherein the outer wall of said extension member has a height dimension that decreases uniformly from a first height dimension associated with a first side of said outer wall to a second height dimension associated with a second side of said outer wall aligned opposite said first side.

11. The extension member as recited in claim 5, wherein the central wall of said extension member has a height dimension that decreases uniformly from a first height dimension associated with a first side of said central wall to a second height dimension associated with a second side of said central wall aligned opposite said first side.

12. The extension member as recited in claim 5, wherein the inner wall of said extension member has a height dimension that decreases uniformly from a first height dimension associated with a first side of said inner wall to a second height dimension associated with a second side of said inner wall aligned opposite said first side.

13. The extension member as recited in claim 7, further including indicia formed on said extension member to identify said first height dimension of said extension member.

14. The extension member as recited in claim 5 in which said extension member is molded in a rectangular shape.

15. An extension member adapted to be disposed between an open top surface of a base of a manhole or catch basin and a bottom surface of a support frame, said extension member comprising:

a molded plastic member having a central opening for access therethrough and a shape conforming to an open top surface of a base, and further having outer and inner concentric, spaced-apart, walls having inner and outer surfaces and interconnected by a plurality of partitions radially extending from said inner wall to said outer wall to create a corresponding plurality of pocket spaces, said inner and outer spaced apart walls having a planar support surface extending perpendicularly therebetween, from a lower edge of each said inner and outer spaced apart walls to provide a bottom surface of support, wherein at least one of said inner and outer concentric spaced-apart walls has a height dimension that decreases uniformly from a first height dimension to a second height dimension, said second height dimension being aligned opposite said first height dimension.

16. The extension member as recited in claim 15, wherein at least one of said inner and outer concentric spaced-apart walls has an upper planar support surface extending perpendicularly from an upper edge thereof, to provide an upper surface of support.

17. The extension member as recited in claim 15, further including indicia formed on said extension member to identify said first height dimension of said extension member.

18. The extension member as recited in claim 15 in which said member is molded in a rectangular shape.

19. The extension member as recited in claim 15 wherein said inner wall includes a lower annular shoulder extending therefrom.

20. An extension member adapted to be disposed between an open top surface of a base of a manhole or catch basin and a bottom surface of a support frame, said extension member comprising:

a molded plastic member having a central opening for access therethrough and a shape conforming to the open top surface of the base, and further having outer, central, and inner concentric, spaced-apart walls, each wall having inner and outer surfaces and interconnected by a plurality of partitions radially extending from said inner wall to said outer wall to create a corresponding plurality of pocket spaces, wherein at least one of said inner and outer concentric spaced-apart walls has a lower planar support surface extending perpendicularly towards said central wall from a lower edge thereof to provide a bottom surface of support and at least one of said inner and outer concentric spaced-apart walls has an upper planar support surface extending perpendicularly towards said central wall from an upper edge thereof to provide an upper surface of support, said inner wall having an upper and a lower section laterally offset in opposite directions relative to a center section to define an upper and a lower shoulder extending from said center section.

21. The extension member as recited in claim 20, wherein the outer wall of said extension member has a height dimension that decreases uniformly from a first height dimension associated with a first side of said outer wall to a second height dimension associated with a second side of said outer wall aligned opposite said first side.

22. The extension member as recited in claim 21, further including indicia formed on said extension member to identify said first height dimension of said extension member.

23. The extension member as recited in claim 20, wherein the inner wall of said extension member has a height dimension that decreases uniformly from a first height dimension associated with a first side of said inner wall to a second height dimension associated with a second side of said inner wall aligned opposite said first side.

24. The extension member as recited in claim 23, further including indicia formed on said extension member to identify said first height dimension of said extension member.

25. An extension member adapted to be disposed between an open top surface of a base of a manhole or catch basin and a bottom surface of a support frame, said extension member comprising:

a molded plastic member having a central opening for access therethrough and a shape conforming to an open top surface of a base, and further having outer, central, and inner concentric, spaced-apart walls, each wall having inner and outer surfaces and interconnected by a plurality of partitions radially extending from said inner wall to said outer wall to create a corresponding plurality of pocket spaces, wherein a first planar support surface extends perpendicularly from at least one of a lower and upper edge of said outer wall to said central wall and a second planar support surface extends perpendicularly from at least one of a lower and upper edge of said inner wall to said central wall, to provide planar surfaces of support, said outer wall further having a height dimension that decreases uniformly from a first height dimension associated with a first side of said outer wall to a second height dimension associated with a second side of said outer wall aligned opposite said first side.

26. The extension member as recited in claim 25, wherein said inner wall has an upper and a lower section laterally offset in opposite directions relative to a center section to define an upper and a lower shoulder extending from said center section.

27. The extension member as recited in claim 25, wherein the inner wall of said extension member has a height dimension that decreases uniformly from a first height dimension associated with a first side of said inner wall to a second height dimension associated with a second side of said inner wall aligned opposite said first side.

28. The extension member as recited in claim 25, further including indicia formed on said extension member to identify said first height dimension of said extension member.

29. An extension member adapted to be disposed between an open top surface of a base of a manhole or catch basin and a bottom surface of a support frame, said extension member comprising:

a molded plastic member having a central opening for access therethrough and a shape conforming to an open top surface of a base, and further having outer and inner concentric spaced-apart walls having inner and outer surfaces and interconnected by a plurality of partitions radially extending from said inner wall to said outer wall to create a corresponding plurality of pocket spaces, wherein said molded plastic member has a height dimension that decreases uniformly from a first height dimension to a second height dimension, said second height dimension being aligned opposite said first height dimension.

30. The extension member as recited in claim 29, wherein said inner and outer spaced apart walls have a planar support surface extending perpendicularly therebetween, from a lower edge of each said inner and outer spaced apart walls to provide a bottom surface of support.

31. The extension member as recited in claim 29, wherein at least one of said inner and outer concentric spaced-apart walls has an upper planar support surface extending perpendicularly from an upper edge thereof, to provide an upper surface of support.

32. The extension member as recited in claim 29, further including indicia formed on said extension member to identify said first height dimension of said extension member.

33. The extension member as recited in claim 29 in which said member is molded in a rectangular shape.

34. The extension member as recited in claim 29, wherein said inner wall includes a lower annular shoulder extending therefrom.

35. The extension member as recited in claim 30, wherein a plurality of apertures extend through said bottom surface of support.

36. The extension member as recited in claim 34, further including indicia formed on said extension member to identify said first height dimension of said extension member.

37. An extension member adapted to be disposed between an open top surface of a base of a manhole or catch basin and a bottom surface of a support frame, said extension member comprising:

a molded plastic member having a central opening and a shape conforming to an open top surface of a base, and further having outer and inner concentric spaced-apart walls having inner and outer surfaces and interconnected by a plurality of partitions radially extending from said inner wall to said outer wall to create a corresponding plurality of pocket spaces, said inner wall including a lower annular shoulder extending therefrom, and said molded plastic member having a height dimension that decreases uniformly from a first height dimension to a second height dimension, said second height dimension being aligned opposite said first height dimension.

38. The extension member as recited in claim 37, wherein said inner and outer spaced apart walls have a planar support surface extending perpendicularly therebetween, from a lower edge of each said inner and outer spaced apart walls to provide a bottom surface of support.

39. The extension member as recited in claim 37, wherein at least one of said inner and outer concentric spaced-apart walls has an upper planar support surface extending perpendicularly from an upper edge thereof, to provide an upper surface of support.

40. The extension member as recited in claim 37, further including indicia formed on said extension member to identify said first height dimension of said extension member.

41. The extension member as recited in claim 37 in which said member is molded in a rectangular shape.

42. The extension member as recited in claim 37, wherein a plurality of apertures extend through said bottom surface of support.

43. The extension member as recited in claim 41, further including indicia formed on said extension member to identify said first height dimension of said extension member.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

I. Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to manhole and catch basin structures and, more particularly, relates to a stackable plastic extension member positionable between the open top surface of a base of a manhole or catch basin and the bottom surface of a support frame. The extension may be used to elevate a manhole cover support frame or a catch basin grating support frame, wherein the central axis of the manhole cover support frame or catch basin grating support may be aligned either parallel to or at an angle relative to the vertical axis of the manhole or catch basin. The angle relative to the vertical axis of the manhole or catch basin may be compounded at a simple or complex angle by stacking a plurality of extensions. The plastic extension may include a combination of upward and downward facing pockets, whereby there is an increase in surface area of both portions of the extension ring that contact the top of the base of the manhole or catch basin and the bottom of the manhole cover support frame or catch basin grating support frame.

II. Discussion of the Prior Art

Roadways or streets often include manholes or catch basins, allowing access to underground sanitary and storm sewers and utility conduits. A manhole may generally comprise a base having concentric sides extending upward, a cone mounted above the base (usually of a monolithic, tubular, conical, or cylindrical cast made of concrete or brick), a cast iron support frame and a cover. The cast iron support frame is positioned above the cone and supports the cover. During roadway construction or resurfacing, the concrete manhole structure is built up to an elevation so that the cover will be positioned approximately flush with the road level. One or more concrete spacers may be positioned between the cast iron support frame and cone, to ensure that the cover will be flush with the road surface.

Catch basins are constructed along the curb line of roadways or streets to allow surface water drainage into underground storm sewers. The catch basin structure is similar to the manhole structure. The catch basin, when first constructed, comprises a base with concentric sides extending upward, a cone resting above the base with a rectangular, cylindrical, oblong, etc. cross-section on which is mounted a cast iron support frame having a rectangular opening that supports a rectangular grating. Sometimes, a rectangular top slab may be positioned directly above the cone. The rectangular top slab is used to narrow the opening in the cone and supports either a rectangular or concentric cast iron support frame. When the catch basin structure is built up to an elevation to ensure that the grating will be approximately at road level, rectangular spacers are employed between the cone or top slab and the cast iron support frame.

Occasionally, the manhole and catch basin are constructed on a hillside. Usually, the base of the manhole or catch basin is aligned vertically with the earth's gravitational line, not perpendicular to the surface or the hillside's vertical line. In order to avoid having a recess (pothole) in the roadway, the manhole cover or grating must be supported at an angle or slope relative to the base, wherein the slope is equal to the angle between the gravitational line and the hillside vertical line. To further complicate matters, the hillside may also be curved, creating a complex angle between the plane of the manhole cover and the vertical axis of the manhole base. Thus, a need exists to efficiently change the angle of the manhole cover and grating to be flush with the resurfaced roadway.

The prior art has recognized a need to efficiently raise the level of the manhole flush with the resurfaced roadway. To meet this need, a variety of adapter rings and adjustment rings have been introduced, such as that described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,470,172 (hereinafter the '172 patent) issued to Wiedrich. The '172 patent shows and describes an extension ring that is positioned between the upper surface of the monolithic cone and the bottom surface of the support frame casting. One embodiment of the extension ring described in the '172 patent includes downward facing pockets formed by inner and outer sidewalls and webs extending between the sidewalls. In use, it is difficult to fill the downward facing pockets with mortar or other similar filler. Also, wedges 11 are shown and described to engage with the webs, changing the slope of the planar support surface of the extension ring. The use of wedges may not allow the user to easily create a desired complex slope angle. The use of wedges also requires additional steps of alignment and positioning. Further, all the weight/force is localized on the webs and outer wall. Hence, a need exists for an extension member that spreads out the bearing weight over a substantial portion of the top surface of the cone, wherein the extension member may be used to easily create a desired complex slope angle. The present invention meets these and other needs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The purpose of the present invention is to provide a durable, stackable, plastic support and spacer member, wherein the support member allows the central axis of the manhole cover or grating to be supported at any of several predetermined complex angles relative to the manhole base or cone, thereby allowing the cover or grating to remain flush with a resurfaced roadway located on a hillside. Without any limitation intended, the support member may molded from a variety of post consumer (recycled) plastics while maintaining structural support requirements, allowing the user to mold the support member from any of several of the most readily available recycled plastics.

The plastic support member is also designed to be aligned between the open top surface of a base of a manhole or catch basin and the bottom surface of a support frame, to thereby elevate the support frame. The plastic support member includes both an upper support surface and a lower support surface. In the case of a flawed or imperfect top surface of the cone, the lower planar support surface extends across a substantial portion of the cone's top surface to improve surface contact between the imperfect cone and the plastic support member.

The molded plastic member comprises inner, central and outer concentric sidewalls, partitions that define pockets and interconnect the side walls, an upper planar support surface, a lower planar support surface, and an upper and lower shoulder extending from a center portion of the inner wall. Downward facing pockets defined by an upper planar support surface, partitions and sidewalls will be referred to as "pockets down". Upward facing pockets defined by a lower planar support surface, partitions and sidewalls will be referred to as "pockets up". A combination of both pockets up and pockets down will be referred to as "pockets up/down".

In order for the plastic member to be sealably positioned between the cone top surface and the support frame, the plastic member is shaped to conform to the upper top edge of the cone and the support frame. Thus, the plastic member may take on any of several shapes including, without limitation, an annular member, a rectangle, a square or other geometric conforming shape, noting however, that an annular member is preferred for the manhole, and a rectangular ring is preferred for the catch basin. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the construct